POTATO CHIP ON MY SHOULDER: Gary Lineker is under 'assessment' for his TV commentary [BBC]

Lineker, 53, flavoured his BBC2 show on Thursday with three separate references to crisps and potatoes — which were quickly linked by sports fans to his £1.8million-a-year promotional deal with snack-makers Walkers.

During the 30-minute programme, the retired England footballer said: "Sixty tons of potatoes, excluding crisps, are consumed over the period of the Games."

“That's it, I'm off for some spuds — the way I like 'em”

Gary Lineker

He then turned it into a running joke, adding minutes later during the wrestling event: "Sensational stuff — you can see who's been eating those 500 tons of tatties, can't you?"

As the show ended, the Match of the Day host signed off by saying: "That's it, I'm off for some spuds — the way I like 'em. Good night."

Critics of Lineker, who has advertised Walkers crisps since 1995 and even had a renamed Salt-n-Lineker flavour, took to Twitter to complain about his apparent advertising.

Dean Thorpe tweeted: "Only @GaryLineker could mention potatoes & then crisps on @bbcsport with everyone knowing what he meant & get away with it!"